Tag: Lahore Qalandars

LAHORE: The opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen is set to be played under heavily overcast conditions, with weather concerns lingering ahead of the curtain-raiser.

Three-time champions Lahore Qalandars will begin their title defence against a new-look Hyderabad Kingsmen side in what marks the start of the expanded 11th edition of the tournament, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3.

While rain has already disrupted preparations, including a recently abandoned practice match between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators at the LCCA Ground, conditions on match day are expected to remain dry but far from clear.

At around 6:00 PM, Lahore is forecast to experience fully cloudy skies with temperatures hovering near 26°C and a RealFeel of 25°C, indicating relatively comfortable playing conditions. Winds will blow from the west-northwest at around 15 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 22 km/h, providing a steady breeze across the venue.

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Humidity levels are expected to stay in the low-to-mid 50s, gradually rising as the evening progresses, while cloud cover is predicted to remain near total, leaving no room for sunlight. Visibility is expected to remain fair at around 8 km, with low UV exposure due to night conditions.

However, air quality remains a concern, with forecasts indicating poor conditions that may cause discomfort, particularly for players and spectators with respiratory sensitivities.

By 7:00 PM, conditions are expected to remain largely unchanged, with temperatures slightly rising to 27°C and humidity edging higher, making the atmosphere a bit more moisture-heavy but still within playable limits.

Lahore Qalandars squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah, Mohammad Farooq, Daniel Sams, Parvez Hussain Emon, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Tayyab Tahir, Dunith Wellalage, Rubin Hermann, Maaz Khan, Ryan Burl and Shahab Khan.

Hyderabad Kingsmen squad: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Hassan Khan (vc), Usman Khan, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Glenn Maxwell, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Rizwan Mehmood, Saad Ali, Tayyab Arif, Maheesh Theekshana and Ahmed Hussain.

READ: Lahore Qalandars sign another Zimbabwe player for PSL 11

LAHORE: Defending champions Lahore Qalandars have completed their squad for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 with the signing of Zimbabwe all-rounder Ryan Burl as a direct pick.

The franchise confirmed the development through their official social media platforms, announcing Burl as their final addition, taking the squad strength to 20 players ahead of the tournament.

 

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The 31-year-old will join fellow Zimbabwe international Sikandar Raza in the Qalandars setup, adding further depth to both their batting and bowling departments.

Burl, who is set to make his PSL debut, brings considerable experience from various T20 leagues. He has featured prominently in competitions such as the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and the ILT20, where he has showcased his all-round credentials.

In the BPL, the left-handed batter has scored 620 runs in 37 matches at a strike rate of 127.57, while also picking up 13 wickets. On the international stage, Burl has represented Zimbabwe in 118 T20Is, amassing 1,948 runs at a strike rate close to 125, alongside claiming 62 wickets.

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The upcoming PSL 11 marks a historic shift, with eight teams participating for the first time. Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz are the two new entrants in a tournament that will feature 44 matches over a 39-day window.

However, preparations for the marquee event have taken a significant turn, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revising its initial plans.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Sunday that the tournament will now be held across just two venues, Karachi and Lahore, and will be played behind closed doors without spectators.

Lahore Qalandars squad for PSL 11

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah, Mohammad Farooq, Daniel Sams, Parvez Hussain Emon, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Tayyab Tahir, Dunith Wellalage, Rubin Hermann, Maaz Khan, Ryan Burl and Shahab Khan.

READ: Islamabad United make late change to squad for PSL 11

Lahore Qalandars have named Australia all-rounder Daniel Sams as a replacement for Dasun Shanaka in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

The outfit confirmed the squad changes on social media handles.

“Daniel Sams is set to play for Lahore Qalandars. Bat, ball, impact—get ready for fireworks,” the caption wrote.

Sams, 33, has extensive T20 experience with 216 matches, amassing 2266 runs and seven half-centuries. His strike rate is notable at 152.90. In addition to batting, he has taken 262 wickets.

 

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Previously, he played for Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings in the PSL.

The replacement comes after Shanaka decided to withdraw from the tournament to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The Sri Lankan T20I captain will play for the Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran.

Earlier today, it was announced that PSL 11 will be held behind closed doors and at fewer venues.

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Originally, six cities, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Peshawar, were scheduled to host matches in the expanded eight-team edition.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed the decision during a press conference on Sunday, citing ongoing geopolitical tensions and an emerging oil crisis as key factors behind the move.

“After consultations with the Prime Minister and security agencies, we have decided that the PSL will begin on March 26 as planned,” Naqvi stated.

“Initially, matches will be held without crowds, and this will continue depending on the global situation.”

Naqvi also confirmed that the opening ceremony of the tournament has been cancelled, with PSL set to begin directly with the opening match on March 26.

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars are scheduled to face Hyderabad Kingsmen at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium in the curtain-raiser.

Lahore Qalandars Updated squad for PSL 11

Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah, Mohammad Farooq, Daniel Sams, Parvez Hussain Emon, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Tayyab Tahir, Dunith Wellalage, Rubin Hermann, Maaz Khan, and Shahab Khan.

READ: Major update regarding Maxwell’s availability for PSL 11

LAHORE: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Salman Naseer, has officially confirmed the teams and venue for the opening fixture of the tournament’s historic 11th edition, set to run from March 26 to May 3.

Addressing the media with Hamza Majeed and Gohar Shah, Naseer announced that Qalandars will lock horns with tournament debutants Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen in the season opener at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

The clash will be preceded by a grand opening ceremony, marking the beginning of what promises to be a landmark season for the league.

Naseer further revealed that the first leg of PSL 11 will largely be staged in Lahore, with the complete schedule expected to be unveiled later this week.

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In recent days, reports have circulated suggesting that the grand finale of PSL 11 could potentially be held outside Pakistan in a bid to engage overseas fans and expand the league’s footprint.

When asked about the possibility of taking a PSL fixture abroad, Naseer confirmed that the matter is indeed under discussion.

“The schedule will be announced later this week, so everything will become clear. But definitely, this was an issue under consideration, that our overseas Pakistanis also want to enjoy the PSL and experience it,” he said.

“Now, as we are becoming a global league, maybe we should take at least one match overseas. Whether that will happen this year or next year, you will get clarity by the end of this week,” he added.

READ: West Indies, Zimbabwe stuck in India because of travel chaos

Lahore Qalandars have bolstered their squad ahead of the landmark season 11 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by securing South African wicketkeeper-batter Rubin Hermann as a direct signing.

The franchise confirmed the development on Saturday through their official social media platforms, welcoming the left-hander with a succinct message: “Gloves on. Bat in hand. South African Rubin Hermann joins the Lahore Qalandars as a Direct Signing.”

 

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Set to run from March 26 to May 3, PSL 11 promises to be a defining season for franchises reshaping their combinations, and Hermann’s addition gives Qalandars a versatile option in the middle order.

The 29-year-old has played seven T20 Internationals for South Africa, scoring 153 runs at a strike rate of 131.89, registering a half-century in the process.

At the domestic and franchise level, his numbers underline consistency. Across 65 T20 appearances, the left-hander has scored 1,497 runs at a strike rate of 127.83, including eight fifties and a century.

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Rubin Hermann also arrives with valuable league experience, having represented Paarl Royals in two seasons of SA20.

In 21 matches, he amassed 559 runs at a strike rate of 119.70, striking four half-centuries and often anchoring the innings in challenging situations.

For Lahore, the signing strengthens their wicketkeeping options as Haseebullah Khan was the only glovesman in the squad.

Lahore Qalandars squad for PSL 11

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Farooq, Dasun Shanaka, Parvez Hossain Emon, Asif Ali, Tayyab Tahir, Gudakesh Motie and Rubin Hermann.

READ: What New Zealand washout means for Pakistan semi-final qualification?

LAHORE: Defending champions Lahore Qalandars have roped in Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman as a direct signing for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The Bangladeshi star bowler, who was previously picked by the Qalandars in 2016 and 2018, is now set to return to the franchise for the 2026 edition, after he was signed for PKR 6.44 crore.

“Once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar. Mustafizur is not just a player; he’s a brother, a key part of our family who never left,” said Sameen Rana, Owner, Lahore Qalandars.

“We are thrilled to welcome him back to our dressing room. His talent, experience, and dedication will be invaluable as we aim to defend our title and make a statement in PSL 11.”

Mustafizur Rahman has represented Bangladesh in 15 Tests, 116 ODIs and 126 T20Is, taking 366 wickets across all formats.

Moreover, the 30-year-old pacer has played franchise cricket across the globe, taking 412 wickets in 322 matches at an average of 21.03.

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Earlier, Lahore Qalandars had retained captain Shaheen Afridi, key batter Abdullah Shafique, dynamic all-rounder Sikandar Raza, and skilled youngster Mohammad Naeem.

Notably, Mustafizur’s signing comes in the backdrop of a turbulent few weeks for the bowler, who was released by Kolkata Knight Riders last month.

The decision was reportedly taken at the direction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), sparking controversy in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) responded strongly to the development, and the matter escalated to the point that the national cricket team opted not to travel to India for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Subsequently, Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the mega-event after multiple meetings between BCB and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Adding to the strained situation, Bangladesh’s government also announced a ban on the broadcast and coverage of the IPL within the country.

READ: Pakistan PM Shehbaz reaffirms decision to boycott India clash

Lahore Qalandars have revealed the retention prices of their retained players, including Shaheen Afridi, ahead of the historic Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 auction, scheduled for February 11.

The Qalandars retained Shaheen Afridi, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, and Abdullah Shafique.

The retention prices were disclosed via the franchise’s social media handles.

 

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Skipper Shaheen Afridi is retained in Platinum for PKR 70M.

While middle-order batter Abdullah Shafiqe and all-rounder Sikandar Raza were retained in the Diamond and Gold categories for PKR 22M and 28M, respectively.

Mohammad Naeem also secured his place in the Silver category for a PKR 7M.

With these retentions, the 2024 winners have so far spent PKR 127 million from their overall franchise budget of PKR 450M ahead of the auction.

For the unversed, each franchise has been allotted a total budget of PKR 450 million for PSL 11, while an additional PKR 55 million has been reserved for direct signings under the league’s new auction-based model.

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Notably, PSL 11 marks a major shift in the league’s player recruitment process as the traditional draft system has been replaced by an auction format for the first time in PSL history.

On Tuesday, five out of the six old franchises announced their list of retained players, while Multan Sultans confirmed they will enter the auction with zero retentions, giving them the maximum purse ahead of the bidding process.

PSL 11 retentions

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)

Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)

Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)

READ: Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed make massive gains in ICC T20I rankings

The defending champions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Lahore Qalandars have released Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman ahead of the historic auction, which will be held on February 11.

The franchise revealed the retained players in an animated poster on social media.

Among the retained players are skipper Shaheen Afridi (Platinum), middle-order batter Abdullah Shafiqe (Diamond), all-rounder Sikandar Raza (Gold), and Mohammad Naeem (Silver).

 

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With the limitation to retain one player from each of the four categories, the Qalandars have let go of their ace duo of Zaman and Rauf, who were placed in the Platinum category alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi.

It is worth noting that PSL is set to move to an auction format, marking a shift from the traditional draft system that has been in place since its adoption.

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Under the new structure, each franchise is allowed to retain up to four players, with one player per category.

Moreover, this time around, teams could not retain up to eight players, along with additional provisions such as mentors, brand ambassadors, and the Right to Match (RTM) option.

The PCB has also abolished the mentor, brand ambassador, and RTM clauses altogether, streamlining the squad-building process ahead of the auction.

For the unversed, the PSL 11 will get underway on March 26, 2026, and will mark Faisalabad’s first-ever stint as a host city. The venue will join Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, expanding the league to five host cities.

READ: England defeat Australia to reach U19 World Cup final

Lahore Qalandars on Monday confirmed that experienced all-rounder David Wiese will not take part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 due to unforeseen circumstances and important family commitments.

The franchise, in an official statement, said it fully respects Wiese’s decision to prioritise his family and expressed hope that the veteran will return in future editions of the league.

Wiese has been associated with Lahore Qalandars for the past seven seasons, building a strong bond with the franchise and its fanbase.

The South African-born all-rounder has played a key role in the Qalandars’ rise in the PSL, contributing with both bat and ball and also serving as a senior figure within the team’s leadership group.

The Qalandars highlighted Wiese’s calmness under pressure and his mentorship of younger players as major factors behind his long-standing importance to the side.

“David has been an integral part of the Lahore Qalandars family and our leadership group for many years. His contributions extend far beyond on-field performances,” Lahore Qalandars owner Sameen Rana said.

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“We fully respect his decision to prioritise his family at this time and look forward to welcoming him back in the coming seasons,” he added.

David Wiese, while sharing his sentiments, described his time with Lahore Qalandars as more than just cricket and thanked the franchise and supporters for their love over the years.

“Being part of Lahore Qalandars has been more than just cricket; it’s been a family,” Wiese said.

“The brotherhood within the team, the positive and supportive environment, and the passion everyone brings every day make this franchise truly special,” he added.

The all-rounder also said the respect he received from the Qalandars camp and fans, including being affectionately called ‘Murshad,’ is something he will always cherish, while reaffirming his intention to return in the coming seasons.

“I’m proud to have been part of a group that values teamwork, growth, and the spirit of the game, and I look forward to returning and contributing to the team’s journey in the seasons ahead,” Wiese concluded.

READ: Shahid Afridi comments on Pakistan’s boycott of India in T20 World Cup

Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars will continue under the stewardship of their current owners for another ten years after formally renewing their agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday.

In a statement, the PCB confirmed that the franchise rights for the PSL’s most valuable team will remain with its existing management for the next decade, marking a major milestone for both the Qalandars and the league.

The three-time champions, who sit alongside Islamabad United as the only teams to lift the trophy thrice, were among the first franchises to renew their deal at the market valuation determined by global audit giant Ernst & Young.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi lauded the Qalandars’ leadership and long-term commitment, crediting Atif Rana and Sameen Rana for transforming the team into a nationwide and global cricketing brand.

“It gives me immense pleasure that Lahore Qalandars will continue to stay with its current owners,” Naqvi said.

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“Atif Rana and Sameen Rana have worked extremely hard to turn this franchise into a household name across Pakistan and a reputable brand around the world. Their decision is a testament of confidence in the power and pull of the HBL PSL.”

Mohsin Naqvi added that the Qalandars have been central to the PSL’s growth, both on and off the field, contributing significantly to player development and domestic cricket uplift across the country.

PSL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer echoed the sentiment, praising the Qalandars’ role in shaping the league’s identity over the past decade.

“The Qalandars’ passion, energy and belief in the HBL PSL have been instrumental in shaping the league’s spirit and inspiring millions of fans,” Naseer said.

“Their commitment to nurturing talent and elevating Pakistan cricket is commendable. We’re excited to continue this incredible journey over the next 10 years and to build an even brighter, bolder future for the PSL.”

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